NBA player Jason Collins says he is gay

NBA center Jason Collins made history today by becoming the first openly gay active male athlete in a major professional U.S. sport.

Mr. Collins, who played this season for the Washington Wizards, wrote about his decision to announce his homosexuality in an essay for Sports Illustrated, which will run in its May 6 issue. Read the full essay here.

A number of athletes have made such announcements after their playing careers are over, but the 34-year-old has broken new ground by doing so while he is still playing.

"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation," Mr. Collins writes in the essay. "I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."

It's landmark news in the history of both American sports and civil rights.

NBA Commissioner David Stern issued a statement this morning following the online publication of Mr. Collins' essay:

"As (NBA Deputy Commissioner) Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family," Mr. Stern said. "Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue."

Reactions are pouring in on Twitter, including from former President Bill Clinton: